Vulcanizing apparatus



May 9, 1944 c. M. SEMLER 'v2-,348,229

VULCANIZING APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1'941 4 sheets-sheet Swine/1M u *N .WIN n. n l M 2 May 9, 1944.

C. M. SEMLER VULCANIZING APPARATUS Fild 'March 1s, 1941' 4 sneetsfsheet 3 May 9, 1944. c. M. vSEMLER l VULGANIZING APPARATUS 4 sheets-shea 4 Filed March 18, 1941 Patented May 9, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE VULCANIZING APPARATUS Clyde M. Semler, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Application March 18, 1941, Serial No. 384,005

(ci. 121-45) v chor device for interconnecting the, end fittings 20 Claims.

This invention relates to vulcanizing apparatus for automobile tires and like casings and is more particularly concerned with pressure bags of special construction adapted to fit Within the tire to be vulcanized. f

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Serial No. 182,316, filed December 29, 1937, wherein I have disclosed and claimed novel base bags equipped with removable external sleeves for .adapting them to t within tires of different internal diameters. The present-,application contemplatesalso improvements over the constructions illustrated in n said application.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide a pressure bag for tire repair and like uses made up of a iiexible expansible tubular body extending between opposed rigid end ttings, wherein the end fittings are flexibly interconnected in such manner as to prevent elongation'of the bag and insure against blow-out of the bag when pressure isl introducedthereinto. To this end I preferably provide a special anchor land chain device acting substantially centrally longitudinally through the bag and arranged to compensatively resist the forces tending to separate the end caps during expansion.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel pressure bag for tire repair and like purposes having a removable split sleeve mounttem for circulating heating fluid in the removed thereon for adapting it to fitv the tire or casing to be repaired and novel end fittings especially adapted for restraining longitudinal movement of the removable sleevealong the bag.

A further object of the invention isto provide a pressure bag for tire repair and like purposes having novel rigid end fitting construction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pressure bag for tire repair and like uses having novel arrangements for heating the interior thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel pressure bag for tire repair and like uses having a removable sleeve surrounding it and novel means for-circulating heating uid through the removable sleeve during normal use.

Further objects of the inventionwill presently appear as the description proceeds in connection with the appended claims and the annexed drawings in which:

Figure l illustrates in longitudinal section nov-- el pressure bag end fitting and end fitting interconnecting constructions of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the bag of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section along line 3-3 in Figure l;

Figure 4 illustrates in longitudinal section a base bag comprising a further lembodiment of the invention wherein a different chain and anmaintaining its able sleeve;

Figure 7 is a section along line 'I-I of Figure 6 illustrating the heater tubes in the removable sleeve 'as extending downto the side walls of the tire to be repaired; and

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section through a pressure bag comprising still another embodiment of the invention. V

With reference to Figure 1, the' preferred embodiment of my invention comprises a base bag II surrounded mainly by a removable sleeve I2. Base bag II includes essentially a lon-gitudinally arcuate tubular body member I3 of rubber or like tough elastic -material which is preferably cylindrical' in cross-section withsuiciently thick walls to make it sturdy and capable of maintaining its shape even when the interior thereofis lopen to the atmosphere. provided with end Walls I4 and I 5, whichzare integral therewithor .vulcanized or 'otherwise-secured thereto in pressuretight relation. l

Sleeve I2 is preferably of rubber or an -equivalent flexible elastic material, and its walls .are sufficiently sturdy thatfthe sleeve is capable of shape evenwhen separated from bag II. i f

Opposite ends of-base bag I I are providedwith rigid end fittings I 6 and-.I 'l which are fitted snug* ly against end walls I4 and I5 respectively.

End fitting I6 comprises two parts, an outer ring I8 which is of larger diameter than base bag II and is provided with a substantially smooth inner face I9 adapted to evenly contact-the adjacent end -of removable sleeve I2, and a central plate 20l secured to ring I8 as by a series of cap screws 2| and having an inner concave face snugly coextensive with the smooth convex exterior surface of end wall I4. I

Both ring I8 and plate 20 are preferably relatively heavy metal castings designed to withstand the high pressures employed during vulcanizing operations for which the apparatus is intended.

End cap I5 is secured to bag II in the following manner. A substantially U-shaped anchor bolt 22 is'disposedwithin the bag with a lower y y straight leg 23 extending through a closelyfitting sleeve of rubber or like material 24 projecting inwardly from wall I4. SleeveY 24 is preferably integral with wall I4 and fits in pressure tight relation on leg 23. Leg 23 extends through a Body member I3 is suitable aperture in wall I4 and then through a boss formed on the outer face of plate 20. Beyond boss 25, the free end of leg 23 is threaded and carriesr a lock washer 26 and a nut 21.

At the inner end of leg 23 which is located well within bag I I, preferably about a quarter of the distance between the bag ends, anchor bolt 22l is provided with a leg 23 having an upwardly and outwardly inclined section 29 which extends through a closely tting sleeve 30 of rubber or like material. Sleeve 30 is preferably integral with wall I4 and projects inwardly therefrom. Sleeve 39 is pressure tight with leg section 29. Beyond section 29, leg 23 is bent to provide an end section 3| parallel to leg 23 which projects through a suitable apertureV in wall I4 and then through a suitable bossv 32 in plate 29 exteriorly of iitting I6. Beyond boss 3 2, leg section 3| is threaded and provided with a lock washer 33 and a' nut 34. `When nuts 21 and 34 are tightened, tting IB is drawn into proper location against wall I4.

Sleeves 24 and 30 are preferably vulcanized to legs 23 and 2.8, respectively. To further insure that the connection between anchor bolt 22 and bag II is pressure tight, I vprovide sheet metal clamping rings 35and 35 on sleeves 24 and 29 which are suiciently tight to `maintain the rubber therebeneath under compression thereby aid ing the vulcanized joint between the bolt and the bag in preventing relative axial displacement of the legs of the boltrelative to the surrounding sleeve. This tight connection insures against escape of steam, air, or other fluid under pressure between the sleeves andthe bolt legs.

At `the other end of bag II, end fitting I1 is substantially the same as fitting I6 and comprises an inner ring 31 andra central plate 38 secured thereto as by an annular row of cap screws 39. Ring' 31 has an inner face 49 adapted to evenly contact the end of removable sleeve I2 opposite from face I8.

An anchorV bolt 4I, which is a substantial duplicate o f anchor bolt 22 as above described, is carried by wall I5 at tlis -end of bag II. Bolt 4I has a lower leg 42, and an'upper leg 43 comprising an 'upwardly and outwardly inclined section v4 4 and a bent terminalsection 45 parallel to l'e g 42.v Bolt and lockznut assemblies 46 and 41 secure fitting' I1 upon anchor 4I and wall I5.

Rubber sleeves 48 andV 49, similar tosleeves 24 and 29, are preferably vulcanized to anchor bolt 4I,arid compression bands 5I and 52 are provided'onsleeves 48 and 49 to maintain the rubber compressed between them and the anchor bolts and thereby prevent escape of uid under pressure at this'end of the bag. e Since the anchor-bolt and vend ttting construction at opposite ends of theA bag is substantially identical, further description of this end o f the bag is unnecessary.

Leg 42 of anchorbolt 4I and leg 23 of anchor bolt 22 are in axial alignmentwith each other, as are the parallel leg sectionsv 3| and 45 of the respective anchor bolts.; Anchor bolts 22 and 4I extend the lsame distance into the interior of bag II, and Vareiexibly interconnected. This connection may comprise a single rigid link 53 as shown in Figure l, or a multi-link chain as shown in Figure 4. Link 53 comprises a 'metal bar having, an integral looped endl v54 hooked by anchor bolt 4I, and an integral looped end 55 hooked by anchor bolt 22. n v v Link53 is located as centrally as possible longitudinally withinbag I'I so as to be kept away from contact with the walls of body I3 at all times. The longitudinal axis of link 53 is parallel to legs 23 and 42 of the anchor bolts and is located as closely as practicallyaposslble in the same straight line therewith.l This provides a substantially straight line pull through the bag between the end fittings, the advantages of which will later become apparent. If desired, bolts 22 and 4I may be formed at their inner ends with a loop similar to that at 8I in Figure 4 so as to insure that link 53 is exactly aligned with legs 23 and 42, but as a practical matter this is not essential as the arrangement shown in Figure l is the full mechanical equivalent of such for purposes .of the invention.

Referring to'Figures 2 andl 3.,-.plate 29 is circular, but ring I8 is shaped in substantial accord with the contour of removable sleeve I2. Sleeve I2 has a cylindrical interior surface 56 adapted to fitv snugly about -cylindrical body I3. The outer surface of sleeve I2 is generally pearshaped to fit with the inside contour of the tire to be repaired. As shown in Figure 3, the lower or tread-backing wall of sleeve I2 is relatively thick while the wall thickness decreases along those portions of thesleeve which back the tire side walls. Sleeve I2 is thickened to provide a relatively solid bead contacting portion 51 which is longitudinally .split as indicated at 58 to enable the sleeve tov be longitudinally opened and removed from about. bag II without removing either of rings I8 or 31.

As shown in Figure 2, ring I8 is correspondingly wide and narrow in conformance with the cross-section of sleeve I2, and is provided with a rigid bead portion 59 aligned with bead 51 of sleeve I2.

End fitting I1 as above explained is identical with tting I6 just described, and it is not necessary to go into further detail with respect thereto.

For introducing fluid under pressure into the interior of bag II, I preferably provide a tubular passage 5I Ydrilled through leg 23 of` anchor bolt 22. Passage'l'has an outlet 62 within the bag well beyond sleeve 39. The outer end of leg section 3I is formedrwi'th a tapped outlet 63 in which a suitable supply-valve can be mounted for connection to a conduit for introducing the uid under pressure vto the interior of the bag. This construction yenables me to insert the pressure fluid directly through the anchor bolt in a positively leak-proof manner, and does away with the necessity of providing an expensive inlet valve requiring a special expensive leak-proof connection with the walls of bag II.

Assembly/of the tire bag In building bag II, I first select a pair of solid cylindrical bars of metal of equal length to be bent into anchor bolts. One ofl these bars I form with the tubular passage 5I, outlet 62 and the tapped inlet G3. Then both bars are bent to the identical anchor bolt shape illustrated in Figure l. I thenthread rubber sleeves 24 and 39 onto anchor bolt 22 and rubber sleeves 48 and 49 onto anchor bolt 4I, to the approximate locations illustrated in Figure l, and vulcanize the sleeves to the bolts. Care is taken that sleeve 39 does not obstruct outlet 62. Preferably the surface of thebolts beneath the rubber sleeves is brass plated to aid the vulcanizing operations. I then attach compression bands 35, 3S and 5I, 5,2 which are simply sheet metal bands clamped tightly about the sleeves by a pair of cylindrically jawed pliers 0r the like.

prising body I3 and end walls I4 and I5 is pref;

erably made in a single molding operation during' which the end walls are provided with suitable apertures through which the bolt legs pass. The slit in body I3 and the joints between the rubber sleeves and walls I4 and I5 are all vulcanized tightly shut at this stage In this manner sleeves 24 30, 48 and 49 are made substantially integral with the body and walls of bag II and the walls' of bag II are made tight against leakagelof pressure to the atmosphere.

Bag II now comprises a leak-proof rubber container having anchor bolts sealed therein at' opposite ends. The anchor bolts are interconnected within the bag and have legs projecting' f from the bag ends for attachment of end 'ttings I6 and II. Ring I8 and plate 20 are secured together by cap screws 2| to form complete fit-l ting I6, and fitting I6 is then secured upon the end of bag II by locating bosses and 32 over the legs of bolt 22 and fastening nuts 2'I and 34.

'Fitting II is assembled and attached to the other end'of the bag in an equivalent manner.

The apparatus can be made ready for use in vulcanizing operations by attachment of a sleeve I2 of suitable size for the job in hand, and provision of a suitable inlet valve at 63.

The invention is of sufllcient scope to cover any manner of sealing the anchor and link asf sembly within bag II. For example each half of the bag on opposite sides of the section line 3-3 in Figure 1 can be separately made and placed on the anchor bolt and link assembly, and then the adjacent edges of the bag halves can be vulcanized together in the manner the usual tire inner tube is fashioned.

Operation and use Bag II is provided lwith a sleeve I2 of correct external size and shape'for the job at hand, and the apparatus is placed within the tire or other casing to be repaired.` Fluid under pressure, compressedair or steam in the embodiment of Figure 1, is introduced through passage 6I into the interior of bag II. As bag II expands radially it fits snugly with surface 56 of sleeve I2 which thereby controlsto some extent such expansion of the bag. Sleeve I2- in turnis forced by expansion of bag I'I linto intimate surface contact with the interior walls of the tire; `Slit 58 aids in permitting-whatever circumferential expansion of sleeve I2 may be necessary to accommodate it to the tire.

The pressure. Within bag I I also tends `to expand the bag longitudinally and thereby force the end fittings outwardly. This tendency jof the bag to straighten and elongate is resisted by the anchor bolt and link assembly and enditting arrangements. As shown in Figure 1, these arrangemments comprise a flexible connection which extends substantially straight through the bag and cannot be elongated. It will be appreciated that, as the pressure inside bag II increases, the whole bag assembly is permitted to straighten to a less V.arcuate condition since it is free to assume its correct position in conform.- ance with curvature of the tire.

Moreover, the lumpy repair section within the Y tire vbeneath the apparatus is in contact with thelower central surfaceof sleeve I2. As the bag and sleeve expand, this Vrepair section re- .out of bagV II.

sistivelyY acts substantially'as'ja fulcrum causing the bag ends to rock downwardly toward the tire tread. If the end caps were tied together by an ordinary chain only, as in Wheelock Patent No. 1,625,383, the upper edges thereof would rock outwardly of the bag and the inner edges thereof would rock inwardly of the bag with the result that the end caps would tend to be separated from the bag at its upper edges and, thusweakened, the bag would easily blow out.

In my above-described apparatus, these changes in form of the bag are accompanied by a swiveling motion of the end ttings about their points of connection with the ends of link 53. This motion of the end ttings is directly controlled by the forces acting from Within bag II.` Since the anchor bolts tie the top and bottom of each fitting'rigidly together, this swiveling action prevents separation of the end caps and body I3 and, far from lengthening I the bag axially, actually tends to shorten the bag slightly. In this specification I refer to that portion of the bag adjacent the tire tread as the bottom of the bag, and that portion at the tire bead'as the top `of the bag. The result of the above-described construction and operation is that the bag is'permitted to freely radially expand and longitudinally deform until it finds its correct position within the tire, and the end fittings by reason of their swivelling action follow the bag ends toward the tire tread section and insure the same rigid straight-line resistance against elongation of the bag during all operating conditions of the apparatus.

My above-described tire repair apparatus is sturdy and eiiicient, and inexpensive to make and use. It is positively reinforced against elongation during all conditions of operation as above explained. My apparatus dispenses with the use of expensive cord reinforcements hitherto considered necessary in the walls of tire bags, especially at the points of attachment to the end fittings. I preferably use an all-rubber bag I I which is less expensive and easier to make than a cord reinforced bag. V

Attempts have previously been made to employ all rubber bags in tire 'bag apparatus, but they ,have blown out, mainly adjacent the end caps, when subjected to appreciable pressures. In my construction, rings I8 and 31, besides lo-' eating the removable sleeve I2, also prevent blow- When the bag is expanded, its walls push .sleeve I2 outwardlyagainst the tire which restricts further `expansion in thatdirection. Extension rings'l and 3'I then prevent longitudinal expansion of the end walls of lbag II, and the latter is thereby held aaginst blowout in any direction.. Different sizes of extension rin-gs Il and 38 are available for different sizes of sleeves I2, and may be `exchanged without removing the entire end fittings.

Heater bays v Rigid annularfcups .'61, preferably of metal` and a purpose to be later described.

concentric/with the sleeves, areentirely imbedded in the rubberatA the Vvulcanized joints'y between' the sleeve ends. j

Bag 64; is formedat one endwith an aperture 68 of reduced size through which extends a fit-v ting 69 having an enlarged flange 1| disposed inside sleeve 66 and a threaded portion 12 exteriorly of the bag. A suitable rigid end cap 13 apertured to slide over iitting 69 lits over the end. of the bag. If desired the two-piece end ttings of Figure l can be employed on this bag as it is intended to serve as `a base bag for a removable sleeve in the manner of sleeve l2 in Fig-- ure 1. Fitting 59 is' securely held in place` by tightening nut 14 on threaded portion 12 thus compressing flange 1l against the end wall ofv sleeve 66. Any suitable means may be provided. at aperture- 68 for insuring against leakage of fluidfrom within sleeve 66. Flange-1 may be adhesively secured to sleeve 66, suitable packing material vmay be used to form a tight joint, or a suitable packing gland construction such as that disclosed in my co-pending application .may be used. l

A chain 1.5-, disposed inside sleeve 66, has` its Opposite ends connected to suitable anchor bolt devices either of which may be in the form of a pair of angularly arranged eye bolts 16 and 11 or a single V-shaped xbolt-.1.3. vLower bolt 16 and the lower leg 160i bolt 18 are arranged in the same straight line. Bolt 18 is formed at its apex with a symmetrical loop 8| engaging the adjacent end of chain 15.V In this manner, I provide a straightJ pull between the end fittings, which swivel about the.y chain lends as the bag expands, `similarly to the apparatus of Figure 1. Bolts 16, 11 and 16 project externally of the bag end through hollow bosses 62 adjacent the outer periphery of the end caps. Nuts 83 fitted to the threaded ends of the bolts are tightened to secureh7 hold the end caps in place on the bag ends. l.

Bolts 16, -11 and 13 may be secured in any desired manner, as by vulcanizing, to the bag. Cup 61 provides arigid support for the bolts intermediate their ends but, if desired, it may be omitted altogether.

Preferably those portions of anchor Abolts 16,k 11 and 18 inside sleeve 66 are coveredby layers of rubber 84 which also sealo the apertures through which the bolts enter. the bag to prevent escape of fluid therefrom. Rubber layers 84 also act as heatinsulation to prevent heat from` chain from being conducted through the bolts exteriorly of the bag. If desired, chain 15 may be covered with. rubber as .shown at the right in Figure 4 but such is not necessary if heatl insulating material is disposed between` the chain and the anchor bolts as shown at the left in Figure 4.

' A heating unit comprising a cylindrical tube or pipe 85 of large diameter to present ample heating surface is preferably suspended by a hanger 86 from chain 15. Hanger `86 may be provided with heat insulating material 81 where it contacts chain 15 and tube 85. Tube 85 is threaded at each end to receive end caps 88 each of which is'proivded with a projecting threaded nozzle 89 having a passage communicating with the interior of tube `65. One of these nozzles is disposed adjacent the bottom edge of-tube 85 Fitting 69 is provided-with a longitudinal passage Sll leading from an exterior threaded aperture-,9| toi an externally threaded nozzle 92 on fitting 66 inside sleeve 66. A flexible conduit 93- extends between `nozzlesg and 9|.A Fitting '69 is also provided with. a longitudinal passage 84 leading from an external nozzle connection 65 tothe interior of sleeve 66. Y p

AtV` the other end of the bag, the end con struction is the same as above described with the exception that fitting 96 has only one passage 91 leading from a threaded nozzle 98 inside sleeve 66 to an exterionnozzle, connection at 69. Flexible conduit IBI vconnects nozzle 66 with lower nozzle 89,.; y v V Ifv desired, heater S5 may besupported rigidly within sleeve 66 in some suitable; manner as by attachment to the anchor bolts or .by making conduits 93 and 10| rigid. ,v

In operation, bag 64 is inflated byintroducing a sui-table fluid, preferably water, under pressure through` passage 94 into the interior of sleeve 66. Heat is provided internally of the bag by admitting a suit-able heating fluid such as steam through passage 96 into tube l85. Since tube 85 is located at the bottom of sleeve.66 an effective circulation of wateris vobtainedwithin the sleeve due to convection currents.

tends to transferheat quickly and effectively from the heating unit-to the sleeve walls. Condensate from the steam in tube will collect upon the bottom and is drained oli through conduit Il and passage 91.V

The chain andanchor bolt construction abovedescribed prevents longitudinal expansion of the bag, and the stressesset up in the bolts upon inilation ofthe bag are evenly distributed upon opposite sides of the end caps.

Thetire bag of Figure 4 may beused as a uid pressure bagwithout heatingA means merely by omitting the heatingunit 85 and supplying air or water under pressure, through a suitable fitting in aperture 68. The opposite end of the bag would then be sealed tight.

If desired, the bag of Figure 4 could be used as a steam bag by omittingl heater 855v and conduit 93 andsealing oli passage 911|.k In such a modification, the free end of condensate conduit IDI would be held at the bottom of the sleeve by a weight or some other suitable means.

Heating unit 85 may contain anA electrical heating coil using thev described steam passages as electrical wire conduits. v

which Vmaybe usedi'n the bag of Figure 4'. In-

stead of suspending the unit from the chain, as

inFigure 4, the unit designated at |02 is inserted as a link in theichain. Unit |02 comprises a cylindrical pipe |03 of much larger' diameter than 'pipe 85, threaded at opposite ends to receiveen'cl caps |04. Each end cap |04 is provided adjacent its top edge with an axially extending apertured ear |5` and this ear is connected by one ory more chain links |66 to 'anchor bolts 16, 11 and 18. Near their bottom edges, caps |04 are provided with nozzles |61 similar to nozzles 89 lfor the passage of steam.

The construction shown in Figure 5 lis quite effective in that it provides avery large heating` surface area within the bag and effectively elimihates-the need for valong chain. Furthermore, with a large heater whose surfaces are near the sleeve walls, the transfer of heat is speedy and eflicient.

Afurther embodiment of Vmy invention-is illustrated in Figures 6 .and v'l ,wherein base bag |68 ismade up of-concentric rubber sleeves VIGS and This circulation'.

III vulcanized to each other and to metal end caps ||2 and 3 at opposite vends. Caps |I2 and ||3 are formed with integral annular extension flanges I|4 and I|5, respectively, abutting opposite ends of a removable sleeve IIS loosely mounted on bag |08. Like sleeve I2, sleeve |I6 is longitudinallyslit at I I'I along its bead portion topermit speedy removal from about the bag. .Y I

A pair of largemetal conduits |I8 and'IIQ are secured to end caps I|`2 and I|3, respectively, as by nuts |2| and |22. Conduits IIS and |I8 each extend a substantial distance into the interior of bag |08, Yand are provided at their inner ends with inwardly projecting' anchor bars |23 and |24 whichin turn are swivelly interconnected by a chain link |25.

The Walls of sleeve ||6 contain a plurality of interconnected passages |26, preferably comprisng a long exible metal tube distributed sinuously from end toend of the sleeve and having an inlet tting |2'I rigid' with iiang'e I I5 and an outlet fitting |28 rigid with flange I4. As shown in Figure 7, passages k|28 extend down to the side wall sections of the tire to be repaired.

Conduit |I8, within bag |08, extends through a rubber sleeve |29' to which it is vulcanized and is provided with a compression band |3|, similar to that at 35 in Figure 1. The connection between conduit IIB vand the other end of bag |08 is made similarly pressure tight.

The inner end of conduit |I9 opens to the interior of bag |08. The inner end of conduit II8, however, is reduced for attachment of a short flexible conduit |32. The free end of conduit |32 is provided with a heavy weight |33 which insures that the open end of conduit |32 always lies close to the bottom of bag |08.

Pipes |34 and |35, from a common supply of Ysteam or like hot fluid under pressure, are attached to a branched steam tting |36 on end f cap 3. Some of the steam passes into conduit II9 Yandthence to heat the interior of bag |08. vSome steamalso passes through a bent pipe |31 to inlet |21 fordelivery to sleeve ||6.

At the other end of the bag, outlet |28 is connected by a bent pipe |38 to a steam tting |39 "on cap |-I2. Fitting Y|39 is likewise open Vto the outer end of conduit |32 which drains condensate from the bottoml oflbag |08. Pipes I4| and |42 lead from tting |38 to a common discharge reservoir.

, The above-describedarrangement insures circulation of the heating uid and high heat in steam from the interior of bag I I and passages -in removable sleeve H6. l

Each cap |54 is shouldered externally for seating an extension ring |58 which is removably secured thereto, as by cap screws |59.

The internal heater systems of Figures 4-8 and the removable sleeve heater systems o'fFi'gures 6-8ican be employed with the apparatus of Figure 1 without departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly ,the removable heater sleeve of Figures 6-8- can be usedonthe base bag Vof .Figure 4 or any equivalent base bag in like manner. -1 Y The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictivethe scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of kequivalency' of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired toY be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for treating a tire or like` casing comprising an expansible arcuate tubular bag having sufficient rigidity to normally retain its shape when itsinterior is open to the atmosphere, rigid end caps at opposite ends'of said bag and means extending through said bag interconnecting said end caps to prevent elongation of said bag during expansion while permitting limited rocking movement of said caps, means for introducing Vfluid under pressure within said bag, a removable expansible sleeve mounted loosely on said bag, said sleeve being of sufficient rigidity to normally retain'its shape independently of said bag and having its external surface shaped in accordance with thecasing to be treated, and means extending outwardly from said end caps preventing substantial longitudinal displacement of said sleeve relative to saidbag and controlling longitudinal expansion of said bag upon said movement of the caps.

v2. In the apparatus' deiined in claim 1, said last-named means comprising ygenerally radial rigid extensions on said end caps.

3.. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, said last-named means `comprising generally radial extensions on said caps, with at least one of said extensions being removablefrom its associated cap.

4. In the apparatus defined in claim l, said last-named means comprisingv extension rings rigid with said end caps and arranged in abutting relation with the ends of said sleeve, and said sleeve being longitudinally split for removal without removing either of said rings.

5. Apparatus for treating a tire or like casing comprising an expansible tubular bag, rigid end fittings at opposite ends of said bag, means extending through said bag interconnecting said fittings to prevent elongation of said bag when expanded while permitting rocking of said littings, means for introducing fluid under pressure within said bag, and a removable sleeve loosely mounted on said bag, each of said endfittings comprising a plate fitting snugly withthe adjacent end of saidbag and a rigid extension ring arranged in abutting'y relation with the adjacent end of `the sleeve whereby the relation of said bag to said sleeve is maintained upon said rocking of the fittings. I l v.

6. In the'apparatus defined-in claim 5, said rilgitd extension ring being separable from said p a e. f l

7. Apparatus for treating a Vtire orjlike casing comprising an expansible arcuate tubular bag, rigid end fittings on said bag, a removable sleeve loosely mounted on said bag, rigid extensions on f said fittings abutting opposite ends of said sleeve,

` a plurality of interconnected passages in saidA extending through said bag Vinterconnecting said 4endcaps toprevent elongation'oi said bag comprising Aa longitudinal member and separate an- 'chor devices flexibly "connected with the opposite -ends of said member, each or saidanchor devices being secured to' the adjacent 'endpap `at 4spaced Ypoints Yon opposite 'sides ef 'the 'axis of said bag, vthereby enabling and pausing said end "cap's'to freely follow the assdciate'd bag 'ends as the bag H changes in form 'during expan's'i'on'to assume its correct position Within said casing, 'said means insuring that the 'n'd paps remain in the Vsaine reinforcing relation tothe bag 'ends 'during "all `rigidend'capson said bagymeans `for introducing iiuid under pressure within said bag,V and means f'" normal conditions `f operation and -said means also 'being of such Cn'struction as `t 4i'n'ain'tain a substantially Ystraight-line 'cnnection between said end caps during 'said conditions:

`9. In `the 'apparatus 'denned in claim 8, aremovable expans'ible Vsleeve *on sa'id ba'g 'and 'rigid extensions on said end 'caps at vopposite ends of" said sleeve, 'said sleeve controlling radial expansion -of said bag Jand said extensions aiding in prevention `of vlongitudinal 'expansion of said bag.

l0. Apparatus for treatinga tire or like casing@ `comprising an Vexpansible arcuate tubular bag having sufcient rigidity "to normally retain its shape when its interior "is opento the atmosphere,

means Afor introducing'fluid under "pressure within said bag,rigid end Ycaps 'on said bag, nexble'.,

means extending Ithrough said bag providing a substantially `=st1-a1g"rxtiine 'nen-elongatame Jconnectionfbetweensaid'endcapsfsaidflexible means comprising a pairof 'anchor 'assemblies eachfs'ecured to one of said end caps at spaced .points thereof 'and A'extending 'well 'into the interior of 'said bag/and Jlink ian'sh'ld'ptdf 'c'll't'acitW'th 1vthe bag Walls interconnecting -said 'anchor 'assemblies, and means 'for introducing fiiuidiinder'pressure lwithin sai'd "bafg, said "end caps 'swiveling about their points of connection Withsaid link `means "to `follow and reini'orce the bag `ends as ksaid bag changes its formtassume "its correct position within the casing `t'o be treated, andv said meansk retaining Ysaid "straig'hte'line v'connection V'-iiiirin'g 1all normal conditions n'of operation.

151. In apparatus forftreatin'g a 'tire or Vlike casing, an expansible tubular 'arcuate "bag, rigid end caps at'o'ppo'site-ends of said bag, and Ameans extendingthroug'h said 'bag vinterconnecting said fend caps -to prevent elongationof said bag comprising Vananchor assembly rigid with eachend cap and li-nk An-i'e'ans interconnectingsaid anchor assemblies, leach-of said -a'nc'hor 'assemblies comprising atleastfapairfofangularlydisposed rigid legs connected to the associated endpapadjacent the top and -botto'm -edges thereof, respectively,

With'one leg 'of ea'ch assembly arranged fin substantial' longitudinal alignment with thecorrespondingleg ofthe other-assembly,and said -link means extending -b'etween the inner ends of 'said V12. In apparatus fior treating 'a Ytire vor `rubber,

lac/ides end caps at `opposite l'emisor' said bag, and means extending through 'said -bag interconnecting said end caps to prevent elongation oi said lbag 'comprisi-ng an anch'or assembly rigid with each zend cap and link means interconnecting 'said anchor assemblies, each anchor 'assembly comprising an integral bolt having an intermediate portion within the bag pivotally attached to said link means and spaced legs projecting from said intermediate portion through the Aadjacent-*end vwall of the bag, means sealing s'aid bolts in pressure tight relation with said bag, and means lsecuring said legs rigidly to the associated end caps.

13. In `the apparatus defined in claim 12, said legs being attached respectively adjacent the upper and lower ed'ges'of "said fend caps, with the lower legs being substantially longitudinally aligned.

14. In 'the apparatus d'eiined in claim l2, means for introducing `fluid under pressure through one of said 'anchor bolts to the interior of said bag.

15. In the apparatus defined in claim 12, a substantially radial removable extension ring on said cap.

16. In apparatus .for treating 'a't'ire or like casing, an 'expansible't'ubular bag having a'rigidend assembly comprising 4a rigid end cap, an integral anchor bolt having 'an 'intermediateiportion'within said bag and spaced legs extending externally of said bag, parallel end sections on said legs rigidly securedto said cap, and means sealing-said vlegs in pressure tig'h't relation with said'bag.

1'7. In apparatus Y"for `treating 'a tire or llike c'asing, an expansible tubular rubber bag, a 'rigid end cap on saidy bag, a rigid member having a portion disposed within said 4bag and extending through an aperturel in said bag and secured to said end cap, andjmeans sealing said member in pressure tight relation with .said bag comprising a compressible rubbersleeve surrounding a .portion of -said member and bonded permanently to said bag andsai-d member, and aband tightly secured about said sleeve adjacent its end remote y-fromsaid cap wherethe latter is Vbonded to said member for maintaining the rubber oi `said sleeve vthereloeneath Yunder compression whereby a sturdy fluid tight seal is leftected and maintained between said member 4and said sleeve.

18. In a-tire curing' bag, Aan yexpansible sleeve, anchor means secured at each end of saidvsleeve, flexible means extending between said ranchor means throughsaidsleeve tolim-i-t the longitudinal -expansionof said sleeve, ,means for heating the interior of said sleeve and means providing heat insulation between said heating means and said anchor and flexible means.

19. A tire repair vbag'rcomprising anarcuate-expansible sleeve having rigid caps at opposite ends thereof, anchor means ywithinkeaclhV end'of said sleeve rigid ywith 'said endcaps, said-anchor means each comprising f a :plurality 'of ,-legs rigid with lthe adjacent end cap'and 'extending -from spaced portions of the 'end 'cap `toward the axisof said sleeve and fa linked ch'ain 'extending between the inner "ends of "said anchor means, -said anchor means extending sufliie'ntly "inwardly of said sleeve `to insure `against wcntact fof nsaid chain With said Vsleeve j'during :'expansionof nsaid sleeve.

20. In the apparatus `dened in-c1aim'8, said expansible 'tubular'bag 1.being `made entirely of 

